At UFC 328, a rare statistical anomaly occurred twice as both Khamzat Chimaev and Tatsuro Taira lost their title fights despite executing 8+ takedowns. Historically, UFC fighters who complete 5+ takedowns in title bouts win 81.08% of the time, while those with 7+ takedowns win 83% of the time. Chimaev landed nine takedowns and Taira eight, with Taira also controlling for nearly 11 minutes, yet both were defeated. The post analyzes that while elite wrestlers maintain an 80% win rate, total versatility remains superior as wrestling is energy-intensive and highly dependent on health conditions, weight cuts, and other circumstances. The analysis suggests that against high-level striker-generalists, even successful wrestling can be overcome if other factors are not optimal, highlighting the importance of well-rounded skill sets in modern MMA.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
